A familiar name caught my eye first. My brows furrowed involuntarily at the sensational headline. The content was about how, when the Zahart family's fortunes declined, I had abandoned my squire, Shiff, and married Duke Lafireon. It was a thoroughly trashy story.
"What is this?"
I confirmed the name of the journalist who wrote the article. I etched the name 'As' into my heart and crumpled the newspaper violently.
"The article is sensational."
"It's despicable."
"Don't worry about it. I've already taken steps to ensure it won't appear in tomorrow's paper. However, this article contains very detailed information about you and your ex-boyfriend."
My eyes narrowed.
"Either my stepmother, Reina, or Shiff. One of the three must have tipped them off."
"Yes, that's right. Although it's not worth showing, you should know what your family is up to."
I wanted to tear the crumpled newspaper in my hand right away.
'Did you mean this when you said you'd see what happens today?'
I bit my lower lip hard and let out a long sigh, then apologized to Terdeo.
"...I'm sorry. It's my fault for becoming the subject of gossip. I'll meet the journalist who wrote this article and clear things up."
"I've already checked the journalist. The name was a pseudonym, and the article was sent anonymously to the newspaper. No one knows the real identity of the person. Apparently, they don't take payment for the articles and send them occasionally."
"...What?"
Being a journalist for a newspaper was usually a job for people struggling to make ends meet. They would dig up others' secrets and expose them, sometimes compromising for the right price, which made it a dangerous and often deadly profession. But not taking payment and remaining anonymous?
'If that's the case, why write such an article?'
I touched my forehead with a complex expression, unable to understand. Terdeo looked at me calmly.
"This article was likely written to tarnish the reputation of the Lafireon family."
"Huh?"
"Strictly speaking, this is my responsibility, not yours."
Terdeo took the crumpled newspaper from my hand and tore it into pieces, then threw it into the trash can.
"They probably used you as a means to attack the Lafireon family."
"What do you mean...?"
"The Lafireon family has many enemies."
"..."
"When something small happens, they come from all sides like hyenas to tear it apart. This kind of thing will happen countless times in the future."
Terdeo looked at the torn paper in the trash can with sharp eyes.
"You are now the lady of the Lafireon household."
"That's just a formality, though."
"Yes, formally, you are mine. So, to others, you will appear to be my weakness."
Terdeo kicked the trash can with his shoe heel.
"Those who want to kill me might continue to do such things."
He meant I should be cautious. I took his advice to heart and nodded. Satisfied with my response, Terdeo nodded and unbuttoned his shirt to wash up. Normally, servants would help with such tasks, but Terdeo always did it himself. It was because of the curse. Even though he knew that simple contact wouldn't harm others, he pathologically avoided physical contact as if it were a sin.
'After I learned I wouldn't die, I got a bit better.'
"Have you met a lawyer regarding the inheritance? Your family might find grounds for disqualification and file a lawsuit."
"I was planning to go soon."
Terdeo took off his shirt casually, as if I wasn't there. Feeling embarrassed, I lowered my gaze.
"I'll recommend a few reliable and competent people to the butler. You should consult them."
"I was going to look for someone myself..."
"They are trustworthy and capable. Knowing them will be a great help to you."
Indeed, they would be better than the people I would find on my own. I nodded and thanked him quietly. Satisfied with my agreement, Terdeo shrugged and left the bedroom to wash up. After confirming the door was closed, I lay down on the bed and tried to sleep.
***
In the middle of the night, I woke up to Terdeo's small movements.
'Has it become a habit?'
Waking up to someone else's movements was a first for me. Terdeo, who had reflexively sat up, turned his head. It had been a few days since this started. Next to him, Fereshati was sleeping, drenched in cold sweat, as if having a nightmare.
"Still not tired of it, huh?"
Terdeo muttered and got up. His robe slipped off, revealing his body in the moonlight. His body, covered in scars from a long war and solid muscles, was a testament to his past.
"Save... save me..."
Terdeo looked down at the groaning Fereshati. This had been happening every night since the first day. Although Fereshati seemed to forget it in the morning, it continued.
"No one is killing anyone."
Terdeo whispered in a low, hoarse voice. But the only response was the same plea for help.
"Hmph."
Terdeo sighed and pulled the blanket off Fereshati's neck. This symptom started when the blanket covered his face in his sleep. He would sometimes struggle to breathe while pleading for help.
"What a terrible habit."
At first, he tried to ignore it, but the continuous moaning kept him awake. Moreover, he couldn't ignore it because it seemed like Fereshati might suffocate and die.
"Save... I want to... live..."
Terdeo, lying on his side, propped his head up with his left hand and looked down at the sweating Fereshati. Now, he was even curious.
"Who is trying to kill you?"
What kind of nightmare is he having? Who is he pleading to save him from every night?
"Is it your family trying to kill you?"
But the only response was the plea for help. Annoyed, Terdeo clicked his tongue and reached out with his right hand.
"Annoying."
He gently held Fereshati's trembling hand. It was very unfamiliar to hold someone else's hand first.
"I won't let you die. That was our agreement, so I won't let you die."
Strangely, when Terdeo held his hand, Fereshati's trembling stopped. Soon, his breathing calmed, and his tossing and turning ceased. The pleading for help disappeared, and he fell into a peaceful sleep.
"Too warm."
Terdeo looked at the hand he held and muttered. The warmth of another person's touch was unfamiliar and strange. Just holding hands made him feel warm.
"No one can touch you here without my permission."
Fereshati's breathing became steady.
"So, please, try to sleep peacefully."
Terdeo watched Fereshati fall into a deep sleep for a while before slowly closing his eyes.
---
The next morning, before the dew on the grass had dried, an unpleasant message flew into the mansion.
"Extra! Extra!"
It was the newspaper article that Terdeo had prevented from being published. It seemed to have been hastily prepared on cheap paper, as the writing was rushed. The article, identical to what I had seen yesterday, flew in.
"Despicable."
The article turned the breakfast table into chaos. Terdeo looked at the paper with a gaze colder than a winter blizzard.
"Someone must have wanted to spread this information. By the way, you look pale. Did you not sleep well last night?"
"ā¦No. It must be a mistake."
Is that so? I wasn't particularly affected because I had already seen it the day before. In contrast, Selpheus, holding a fork, slammed it on the table.
"How dare they challenge the Lafireon family. I will investigate and expose who did this."
"Good idea, Selpheus. If you're going to investigate, dig deep into their guts."
I sighed deeply, looking at the two who were in perfect sync.
"Selpheus, don't slam the table. And don't say such things. ā¦Terdeo, be careful what you say in front of Selpheus."
"Your Highness, this is a clear challenge to our family. We must find out who did this andā"
"I know. Eat your carrot first. I told you not to be picky."
I picked up the carrot I had pushed to the edge of the plate with my fork, and Selpheus pursed his lips. Terdeo crumpled the extra edition in his hand.
"I knew they would publish it personally after I banned the newspaper. They probably spread it throughout the capital. It's a clear sign of malice, so be careful."
"Yes, I'm always cautious and worried, so I'll be fine."
Terdeo's expression was skeptical. It seemed to say, "You?"
Why, what! Terdeo looked at me with narrowed eyes, as if he didn't trust me.
"Your personal maid will arrive today."
After becoming the duchess, I received applications for my personal maid.
'Of course, except for one person, no one applied to be my maid...'
"Is it really okay to hire a maid like this?"
The Lafireon family was shrouded in mystery. They avoided having servants and strictly managed the entry of outsiders to prevent their secrets from being exposed. Hiring an unknown young lady as a maid for me was unusual. In response to my question, Terdeo nodded.
"Would you let the duchess go around without a maid? She can chat with you when you're alone, and otherwise, she can just wait. The same goes for the servants in the mansion."
"Really?"
"Yes. And just in case, always go out with her."
"ā¦It feels like I'm getting a friend, and that's nice."
As soon as I finished speaking, Terdeo, who hadn't touched his breakfast, stood up.
"I need to go to the newspaper office."
"Me too!"
Selpheus, with a serious expression, stood up to follow Terdeo.
"I'll go with you, Your Excellency. We can't just let someone who talks without thinking get away with it."
The two quickly left the dining room. I stared at Selpheus's plate and smiled wryly.
"He ran away because he didn't want to eat the carrot."
Selpheus's plate was still full of the carrots he had picked out. ***
"Hello, Your Highness!"
The young lady, holding the hem of her lace-trimmed skirt, smiled and greeted me.
"I'm Rebecca Knights, and I'll be serving you from today!"
The young lady, with her orange hair in two braids and a face full of freckles, looked adorable.
"Thank you for coming all this way."
I had heard that the Knights family's fortunes had declined, and they were taking on any job they could. That's why she was the only one who applied for the position of my personal maid, despite the rumors about Terdeo. According to the butler, her reputation wasn't bad.
"Nice to meet you, Fereshatiā¦ no, Lafireon. I hope we can work well together."
"Please, call me Rebecca, Your Highness. You can be more casual with me."
She seemed very sociable and charming, especially when she smiled, showing her dimples.
"Yes, I won't have much to do. Just help me when I move around, chat with me sometimes, and have tea with me. I want to spend time with my family alone, so please step aside when they're around."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Rebecca seemed quite intelligent. In my previous life, I never had friends because I always went around with Shiff and Reina. She was a bit younger than me, but I was happy to have a friend.
"I've prepared a room for you. Would you like me to show you?"
"Really? Thank you!"
Rebecca, beaming, picked up her suitcase and followed me.
"Is this all the luggage you brought?"
"Yes, we sold everything of value at home, so I didn't have much to bring!"
Isn't it too cheerful to say such a sad thing?
"I'm so happy to be the duchess's maid! I never thought I would be chosen! I thought someone better would get the positionā¦"
Yes, you were the only one who applied for me.
"On the way here, I saw that the capital was preparing for a festival! It looked amazing!"
"Really? I haven't been out."
"Really? When the festival starts, please come with me! It's an official festival supported by the royal family, so it's quite impressive."
She chattered non-stop, probably nervous. People tend to talk more when they're nervous...
"This festival is to celebrate the emperor's and Duke Lafireon's victory in the war! Did you know? Of course, you did! It's so impressive!"
'Is this her usual personality?'
I led her through the garden, past the stables, and into the annex. I smiled awkwardly as Rebecca talked non-stop throughout the long corridor.
'I should have asked the butler to show her around.'
I sighed and opened the door to Rebecca's bedroom.
"This is where you'll be staying."
"Wow!"
Rebecca, who had been talking loudly, suddenly fell silent.
"Do you like it? I asked them to prepare it so you would be comfortableā¦"
"It's perfect! It's much bigger and more comfortable than my room!"
"I'm glad you like it."
Rebecca sat on her bed, jumped around, and opened the window to look outside.
"Thank you, Your Highness! I feel so lucky!"
It's not that impressive, but I smiled awkwardly at her excessive praise. Rebecca sighed, as if remembering something.
"By the way, I saw something strange on the way here."
"Strange?"
Rebecca took out a crumpled piece of paper from the front pocket of her bag.
"This isā¦."
It was the 'extra edition' I had seen at breakfast.
"I saw it all over the streets. It was even stuck on walls."
"Is it that bad?"
"Yes, I thought Your Highness should know, so I brought it."
I crumpled the extra edition in my hand as soon as Rebecca handed it to me. So, everyone in the capital must have read this at least once.
'Really, as Terdeo said, the malice is too obvious.'
I clenched my teeth, thinking I should be more careful. At that moment,
"Madam."
The butler, looking troubled, knocked on the open door of Rebecca's bedroom.
"What is it?"
"A visitor has arrived."
"A visitor?"
I tilted my head. Who would visit me? As I did, a red-haired figure appeared behind the butler.